Indian Child and Family Services

Transcription

1 Uma Nemingkim: All My Relations Be A Foster or Adoptive Parent Indian Child and Family Services: A Tribal Consortium For more information call Doña Gaje X 24. American Indian Children Need Your Help! Rancho California Road Ste. 200 Temecula, CA

2 Uma Nemingkim: All My Relations Foster and Adoption Program Foster/Adoption Family Orientation Packet Welcome Future Foster/Adoptive Community Member, We are appreciative of your interest in restoring the Circles of Care for American Indian children. We invite you to become part of the Circles of Care for American Indian children. By joining with Indian Child and Family Services you are becoming part of our tribal community. Contacting ICFS is the first step in caring for an American Indian child in need. American Indian communities traditionally operated in a Circles of Care Model where the child was supported by the family who was supported by the clan. The entire community supported the clan, family and child. Within this model children were protected and raised well. Historical trauma broke up these circles of care and put American Indian families and children at risk. When a parent or relative is no longer able to care for their child the clan or community is important in stepping in to care for that child. The Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) is a federal law passed in 1978 in response to American Indian children being adopted outside their culture and traditions. The purpose of the ICWA is to keep American Indian children connected to their culture. Enclosed are commonly asked questions and orientation information. An orientation meeting will be scheduled, followed by a packet assistance completion meeting. Indian Child and Family Services is located at Rancho California Road Suite 200 Temecula, California

3 Foster Parent Certification Process Indian Child and Family Services is a tribal consortium of 8 tribes residing in Riverside, San Bernardino and San Diego Counties. ICFS serves all American Indians in the three county service area. California is a Public Law 280 State. This means the county child protective services removes children who are abused and neglected and the state issues licenses to foster family agencies for American Indian children. ICFS is the only tribal Foster Family Program in Southern California. State Foster Care Licensing Requirements 1) Complete screening application 2) Once your screening application has been accepted, you will be contacted by an ICFS caseworker who will schedule an initial interview and go over the foster care application packet. 3) The caseworker will follow up with an application packet assistance meeting. At this point the case worker will schedule an appointment with LIVESCAN. All adults living in the home, as well as other adults who will be providing care and supervision of the child need to complete this criminal clearance check through ICFS. A valid ID is required for the LIVESCAN process. 4) Prepare for your pre licensing home visit (refer to the checklist on the following page). Have at least one bed space. California State law allows up to two children in a room with each child having their own bed. A child under 2 can sleep in the parent s room. 5) Obtain a health screening clearance/tb test and complete CPR/First Aid certification training course. 6) ICFS will also contact you to a. Participate in mandatory caregiver training classes b. Have a home study evaluation completed. Once your home is certified you will be contacted when ICFS becomes aware of a child needing placement. We will give you all the information we receive on the child and you will make a decision to take the child at that point. You must have an insured vehicle to provide transportation to required appointments (medical, dental, parent visitation, sports/clubs or therapy as assigned) and all pets must be vaccinated and licensed. Licensing prohibits aggressive dog breeds such as Pit bulls and Rottweiler s from being in the home. IMPORTANT In order to have children in your home, the following must be completed Criminal record clearance, Child abuse clearance, Home study evaluation, All training requirements completed 3

4 FOSTER HOME LICENSING INSPECTION CHECKLIST KITCHEN/DINING AREA cleaning products/chemicals must be locked up sharp knives must be inaccessible trash cans must have tight fitting lids proper storage of all food emergency information must be posted near a main phone walls/carpet/floor must be clean and in good repair LIVING ROOM/DEN fireplace must have a screen stairways must have childproof gate heating/cooling system must be in working order (68-85 degrees) floor/carpets/walls must be clean and in good repair BATHROOMS medications must be locked up cleaning products/chemicals must be locked hot water temperature must be between degrees harmful items must be locked up hygiene (shampoo, toothpaste, toothbrushes, soap, etc) must be provided to children BEDROOMS no more than 2 children per bedroom one child per bed no children of opposite sex (unless under 5 years of age) shall share a bedroom only infants (0-23 months) may share a bedroom with an adult mattresses/box springs/linens must be clean and in good repair no room commonly used for other purposes can be used as a bedroom no bedroom can serve as a passageway to another room bunk beds must have a rail on upper tier no child under 5 years of age is to bed down in upper tier of a bunk bed floor/carpet must be clean and in good repair adequate drawer/closet space must be provided for children s belongings each infant shall have a crib/bassinet appropriate for age/size day beds are acceptable but trundle beds are not toys/books/games/educational materials must be provided to children HALLWAYS functioning smoke detectors must be located outside of bedrooms no items shall block or be stored in hallways OUTDOOR/YARD pools/bodies of water must have appropriate fencing (5 ft) or cover. No door or window of the facility shall provide direct access to the pool. Pool cover shall support the weight of an adult and shall be placed on the pool and kept locked when not in use. free from hazards (remove gardening tools, containers of insecticides, etc) outdoor activity space must be available for children GENERAL REQUIREMENTS no more than 2 infants (birth-23 months) including licensee s own children may reside in the home telephone service must work at all times first aid kit is required (refer to section 87075F of the regulations) children s records must be maintained for up to 3 years after child has relocated all adults providing care/supervision must be current age appropriate CPR/first aid certified unusual incidents must be reported (refer to section of the regulations) licensee must have proof on file of 12-hour annual training corporal punishment is prohibited/foster parents are mandated reporters of child abuse fire extinguishers shall be fully charges and accessible perishable and non perishable food items must be properly stored firearms and other dangerous weapons shall be locked; and ammunition shall be stored separately from firearms. 4

5 A Tribal Consortium Become a Foster/Adoptive Parent Answers to Frequently Asked Questions How do I become a foster/adoptive parent for an American Indian Child? Your home must be licensed by Indian Child and Family Services, an American Indian Child Welfare Tribal Consortium that also operates a state licensed Foster Family Agency. After you apply, a caseworker will call you and conduct a screening interview. If you pass the screening interview a caseworker will make an appointment at your convenience to visit your home. What s next? Foster Parents work closely with ICFS case mangers to determine the type of foster child most appropriate for their home. You must pass a criminal record clearance, home study and complete all training requirements to become certified. Who pays the foster child s expenses? Foster parents receive financial assistance to help in purchasing food, clothing, materials and to meet the other basic needs of foster children. Medical, dental and mental health services coverage of children is provided through Medi-cal. Children with tribal enrollment are also able to access services from the Indian health clinics. ICFS pays a higher rate to foster parents for the care they provide the children than county foster programs. Foster parents must have sufficient income so they aren t relying on foster care funds to meet basic needs. How long will I have the foster children? Foster placement can last anywhere from a few weeks to several years depending on the circumstances of the birth parts, relatives and reunification process. It is possible to adopt or become the legal guardian of a child who cannot return home. How old are foster children? Foster homes are needed for children of all ages from infants and toddlers to teens up to 18 years of age. The preference is to place siblings together. Is there an age limit for foster parents? As long as you are healthy, energetic, and demonstrate the appropriate desire to be a foster parents there is no age limit. Many foster parents are retired. Do foster parent have to be married? Foster parents can be married, single or a domestic partner relationship. The most important thing is to provide a loving stable environment for children. Will I have to give up my job? No, but you must make appropriate child care arrangements. Child care expenses are not reimbursed. You are given 7 free respite days a year per child. 5

6 A Tribal Consortium Be a Foster or Adoptive Parent Your community needs you to step forward and here s why: 1. American Indian children have some of the highest rates of child neglect in the country. They also have the high rates of substance abuse, delinquency and school drop-out. These children need consistency and commitment. You can help make a critical difference in the lives of these children by becoming part of a community team that includes ICFS staff and community partners working together. Your rewards will be immeasurable and the Indian community will benefit from children nurtured in a caring, safe, stable, culture positive home. 2. You believe children should maintain their cultural ties. 3. You know how important it is to be part of a family. 4. You understand the value of good parenting. 4. You want to play a part in restoring the Circles of Care for the American Indian Community Be A Respite Parent If you are not ready to be a foster parent consider being a respite parent. The requirements for respite parents are the same as for foster parents. Respite foster parents give families breaks by caring for their foster children for brief periods of time. 6

7 A Tribal Consortium Contact Information If you have any questions about fostering or adopting an American Indian child, please call us. Our mission is to promote, protect and preserve American Indian families and children. We will provide you with any assistance possible to ease the process of becoming a licensed foster parent. We look forward to working with you. Indian Child and Family Services Toll Free Number Rancho California Road Suite 200 Temecula, California